Dallas Fun Fam

🌟 Water Play Area at the Fort Worth Zoo🌟

📍 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110

Why we love it:
❤️ The Fort Worth Zoo has a super fun splash area for kids called Safari Splash! This spot is the perfect place for kids to cool off on a hot day after exploring the zoo.
❤️ There are four slides, a water dump tower, animal-shaped water cannons and a designated toddler play area.
❤️ There was also plenty of seating for adults during our visit!

Good to know:
- Admission to Safari Splash can be added on to your Fort Worth Zoo ticket for an additional $6.
- Safari Splash hours follow zoo hours. Current hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

🌟 Family Friendly Restaurant on an Indoor Riverwalk at Ga***rd Texan🌟

📍 1501 Ga***rd Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051

Why we loved it:
❤️ Ga***rd Texan has an indoor riverwalk with a great restaurant right on the river!
❤️ Riverwalk Cantina serves up Tex-Mex food and has kids meals. We all loved the enchiladas!
❤️ Walking along the riverwalk is an activity in itself. There’s a koi pond, mini trains, bridges, and waterfalls!

Good to know:
- Riverwalk Cantina is open 6:30am-9pm Wednesday through Sunday, and 6:30am-11am Monday & Tuesday.
- This restaurant is open to the public! You do not have to stay at the resort to dine here.
- Note that there is a fee for resort parking based on the amount of time you spend at the resort.

🌟 NEW IN DALLAS: $300 Million Deck Park Built Over a Freeway in Oak Cliff: Halperin Park🌟

📍 626 S RL Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203

🎉 Grand opening weekend is happening NOW through Sunday, May 10 with family programming throughout the day!

Why we loved it:
❤️ Halperin Park is Dallas’s brand new deck park built right over I-35E in Oak Cliff! It’s 5 acres of green space, playgrounds, and water features in the middle of the city — and it’s completely free!
❤️ There are 3 water play areas for kids: a splash pad, a bubbly water feature near the bandshell, and a rain curtain inside the playground that trickles down in an S pattern from the ceiling. So cool!
❤️ The playground is designed to feel like you’re playing in the woods, complete with a treehouse and tons of nature-inspired play elements.
❤️ The rooftop terrace has sweeping views of Oak Cliff, the downtown skyline, and Fair Park. Definitely keep this spot in mind for 4th of July fireworks!

Good to know:
- Halperin Park is FREE and open to the public! Hours are 7am-10pm Sun-Thurs and 7am-11pm Fri-Sat.
- Upcoming events include a Mother’s Day Picnic in the Park, Movie Night, Story Time, a Good Local Market, and KERA Kids Fest. Check their calendar at halperinpark.org for dates!
- Parking is available at the Dallas Zoo parking garage for $14. DART is also an option — take the Red Line to the Dallas Zoo stop.
- Parking is tricky here! It’s easiest to park at Dallas Zoo for $14 (free for members)
- The park is located just 3 miles south of downtown Dallas, right off I-35E between Ewing and Marsalis avenues.

🌟 [Opening 5/9] Best Summer Day Trip Near Dallas: Ham Orchards🌟

📍 11939 County Road 309, Terrell, TX 75161

Why we loved it:
❤️ Ham Orchards is a peach orchard located just 45 min east of Dallas! It’s the perfect little day trip to the country. 🍑
❤️ They’re famous for their homemade peach & strawberry ice cream made in small batches with orchard-ripe berries and peaches. 🍦
❤️ Come for lunch and try Eddie Deen’s BBQ! I tried the peach pulled pork sandwich and wow, it was so good!! Don’t skip the spicy peach pickles either. Other options include brisket, sausage, chicken, and a hot dog for kids.
❤️ You can buy fresh peaches and scratch-made baked goods in their market!

Good to know:
- Ham Orchards opens for their 47th season on May 9 and is only open through mid-August, so visit soon!
- Peaches and blackberries aren’t quite ready for picking yet, but the blackberry patch typically opens the last week of May. Follow for updates on when picking season begins!
-Live music at the pavilion this Saturday 5/9 from 11am-2pm with Matt Fisher!
- Come early and expect a line for BBQ and ice cream on weekends. I was amazed how busy they were even on a weekday afternoon!
- Hours are 9am-5pm Mon-Sat with BBQ beginning at 11am. They are closed on Sundays.

🌟 FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS HAPPENING IN DALLAS - FORT WORTH THIS WEEKEND! 🌟

🗓️ Halperin Park Opening Weekend Celebration
📍 Halperin Park in Dallas
🕑 5/9-5/10
💲 FREE

🗓️ Frisco Rotary Farmers Market
📍 Kaleidoscope Park in Frisco
🕑 5/10
💲 FREE admission

🗓️ Forest Park Miniature Train Rides
📍 Forest Park in Fort Worth
🕑 5/7-5/10
💲 Tix start at $8 per person, under 1 ride free

🗓️ Ham Orchards Opening Weekend
📍 Ham Orchards in Terrell
🕑 5/9
💲 Prices vary for BBQ and market items

🗓️ Monster Truck Wars
📍 Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas
🕑 5/9-5/10
💲 Ticket prices vary

🗓️ Spring Celebration with Avant Chamber Ballet
📍 Klyde Warren Park in Dallas
🕑 5/9
💲 FREE

🗓️ Mother’s Day Half Marathon + Fun Run
📍 Woodshed Smokehouse in Fort Worth
🕑 5/10
💲 Registration starts at $35

🗓️ Frisco Rough Riders Home Games
📍 Riders Field in Frisco
🕑 5/8-5/9
💲 Tix start around $13

🗓️ Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour
📍 Swiss Avenue Historic District in Dallas
🕑 5/9-5/10
💲 Tix start at $35

🗓️ Free Gameplay for Moms
📍 Free Play Arcade in Dallas
🕑 5/10
💲 FREE for moms, $13 per person for others

🌟 Dessert Shop with a FREE Indoor Playground at Monster Yogurt🌟

📍 1360 W Campbell Rd, Ste 101, Richardson, TX 75080

Why we loved it:
❤️ Monster Yogurt has the “Monster Cave,” an awesome indoor playground right inside the shop!
❤️ They serve over 80 rotating flavors of self-serve frozen yogurt, plus gelato, sorbet, and dairy-free options, with a massive toppings bar. Your kids will love creating their own sundaes!
❤️ The play area is perfect for letting the kids burn off energy while parents can actually sit down, enjoy their froyo, and use the free Wi-Fi!

Good to know:
- Monster Yogurt in Richardson is open 11am-10pm Monday through Saturday, and 12pm-9pm on Sunday.
- The indoor play area is completely free for customers to use!
- You pay for your yogurt by the ounce, so you can make it as big or as little as you want.
- They also have a location in Dallas (Casa Linda) with a play area too!

🌟 NOW OPEN IN DALLAS: GLOWING NIGHT SAFARI AT THE DALLAS ZOO🌟

📍 Dallas Zoo at 650 S R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203

We just experienced Illuminature at the Dallas Zoo and it is absolutely magical!

Why we love it:
🏮 The zoo is completely transformed after dark with gigantic, glowing animal lanterns and immersive light sculptures!
🎪 There are live nightly performances including acrobatics, Sichuan face-changing, and artistic hula hoop, all included with your ticket.
⚽ There’s also a soccer-themed fan zone on The Grove with hands-on activities and tons of photo ops. So much more to do than just walk around!
✨ There is also a Glow & Go add-on package where you get a glow necklace, butterfly wand, popcorn, and more packed in a keepsake tote. Pre-order online to save a little!

Good to know:
- Adult tickets are $24 and youth tickets are $20. Dallas Zoo members pay less, so it’s a great time to join if you’ve been on the fence!
- Open select nights April 17 – June 28. Sun–Thurs 6:30–10 p.m., Fri & Sat 6:30–10:30 p.m.
- Most animals are off habitat after dark, so plan to arrive early if you want to see them and grab a combo ticket!
- Performances run at 7, 8, and 8:50 p.m. and are about 20 minutes each. Grab your spot early!

🌟 5-Mile Miniature Train Ride for Kids in DFW: Forest Park Miniature Train in Fort Worth🌟

📍 1700 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110

Why we love it:
❤️ Forest Park Miniature Train is a historic railway that dates back to the late 1950s! When it opened, it was the longest miniature railway in the world.
❤️ The train travels 5 miles throughout Fort Worth’s Trinity Park and across the Trinity River.
❤️ It crosses 6 bridges and stops at a concession stand where you can purchase candy apples, cotton candy, and drinks.

Good to know:
- Current operating hours are Weds-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon & Tues. Mae sure to check their online calendar as hours change by season!
- The train ride is about 50 minutes long. It generally departs at the top of each hour.
- There is plenty of free parking.
- This train is located near !

🌟 INDOOR ADVENTURE PARK IN DFW WITH TRAMPOLINES, A NINJA COURSE + BUMPER BALLS: TAKEOFF ADVENTURE PARK 🌟

📍 1300 Custer Road, Plano, TX 75075

Why you’ll love it:
🚀 Takeoff has so many attractions packed into one space: trampolines, a ninja course, bumper balls, a ropes course, rock climbing, and more. There is truly something for every age!
🥷 The ninja course is a highlight. It is challenging enough to keep older kids entertained but approachable enough for younger ones to give it a shot!
🎉 There are also birthday party options for as low as $300!

Good to know:

- Admission is $20-$32. Socks are required and can be purchased onsite.
- Hours are 12-9pm Mon-Thurs, 10am-10pm Fri-Sat, and 10am-9pm Sun.